Implement for removing backs of watchcases



Feb. 20, 1951 E. E. THoMs 2,542,728

IMPLEMENT FOR REMovING BAcxs oF wATcHcAsEs Filed March 27, 1947- Patented Feb. 20, 1951 OFFICE MPLEMENT FOR REMOVING BACKS OF WATCHCASES Ernst E. Thorns, Dayton, Ohio Application March 27, 1947, Serial No. 737,525

7 Claims.

This invention relates to an implement for removing the backs of watch cases, and for like purposes.

In certain types of watches the back of the watch case is screwed into the body of the case and it is often very difficult to remove the same. The back is frequently provided with peripheral notches or flats for eng-agement by a removing implement. Various implements have been provided for removing the back of such a watch case but, for the most part at least, they have not been entirely satisfactory.

One object of the invention is to provide a simple efficient implement with which force can be exerted on the back of the watch case suiiicient to release a tightly set back without danger of scratching or otherwise marring the back.

A further object of the invention is to provide such an implement which can be applied to watch case backs of various kinds and sizes.

A further object of the invention is to provide such an implement in which the back engaging elements are removable to permit the substitution of other elements of a different size or shape.

A further object of the invention is to provide such -an implement having work engaging elements Iwhich are adjustable to engage the back of the watch case either at two points or at three points.

A further object of the invention is to provide such an implement having means for gripping and removing a watch case back which is not provided with notches or flats.

A further object of the invention is to provide such an implement which is of a strong durable and compact construction and can be produced at a relatively low cost.

Other objects of the invention may appear as the implement is described in detail. o

In the accompanying drawings Fig. l is a perspective View of an implement embodying the invention; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a transverse section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. l; Fig. 4 is a detail view of one of the back engaging ele'- ments; Fig. 5 is a section taken on the line 5-5 Aof Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a third or supplemental back engaging element; Fig. '7 is a perspective view partly broken away showing the implement provided with a modified form of back engaging elements; Fig. 8 is a perspective view of one of the back engaging elements of Fig. 7; and Fig. 9 is a side view, partly in section of a further modification showing the implement equipped with a single back engaging element.

In these drawings I nave iilustrated one embodiment of the invention, together with certain modications thereof, and have shown the same as designed primarily for removing the back of a watch case, but it is to be understood that the implement may take various forms and may be used for various purposes without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the embodiment 1nere illustrated the implement comprises a supporting member il) which is preferably in the nature of an elongate at plate of suflcient thickness to provide the same with the necessary rigidity. On this supporting member are mounted a plurality of back, or Work, engaging elements which are adjustable with relattion one to the other. In the present device the supporting member It is provided with a longitudinal slot H having at one end thereof an enlargement or opening l2 of a. width substantially greater than the width of the slot. Mounted in this slot are two work engaging ele-- ments I3 and I4, the element i3 being held. against outward movement, as yby contact with the end wall of the slot, and the element 4 being adjustable toward and from the element I3. Eachelement has an intermediate portion l5 of a width approximating the width of the slot so that the element can be inserted in and moved lengthwise of the slot. Each element is provided above and below the supporting member with parts, such as flanges It, of a width greater than the width of the slot, so as to support the elements against vertical movement in the slot, but these parts I6 are of a width less than the width of the opening i2, so that the elements I3 and l can be inserted in or removed from the slot. Thus by moving the elements successively into the opening l2 and then moving the same through that opening they may be quickly and easily removed irom the supporting member. Each el.,- ment is provided at at least one end thereof with a Work engaging part El, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4. As there shown the parts il are in the nature of small diameter projections depending from the lower ends of the respective elements and are preferably substantially semi-circular in form so that they may engage either iiats or notches in the peripheral edge of the back of a Iwatch case. Ii desired the elements may be provided at their opposite ends with other work engaging parts i8 of a size or shape different from. the parts lll.

The intermediate portion I of the work en- 'gaging element I4 is preferably non-circular to prevent the rotation thereof in the slot, and is here shown as square in cross section, so that it can slide freely in the slot. This slidable element may be adjusted toward and from the opposed element I5 in any suitable manner, as by a screw threaded rod I9 mounted in a threaded opening 2E in the end Yo the supporting member and provided at its outer end `with avknob `2| by which it may be rotated. The inner end of the rod bears against the slidable element I4 and that element is held in contact with the rod by a spring 22 interposed between the same and .the normally stationary element I5. Thus by properly adjusting the work engaging `elements `I3 and Id the work engaging parts I'I thereof may be positioned to engage diametrically opposite flats on or notches in watch case backs of 4various sizes, and by reversing the positions of the work ,engaging elements,` .or byv removing one setvlof elements and substituting another set therefor, the device may be accommodated to a wide range of backs. 4In operation the watch from 'which the back is to be removed may be heldin .one hand and the supporting member gripped in the other hand and force appliedthereto in a direction to unscrew the back. O r the watch may be gripped in.,a;vise, or thelike, and the implement supported by one hand in proper engagement with the back Vand. rotative iorce applied Vthereto by the other ,from an arm 2.5 whichis mounted on the supporting member it .for adjustment with relation. to the work engaging elements I3 and I4. In the .arrangement shown .the arm 25 rests upon the upper surface of the supporting member and is provide witha longitudinal slot 26., the arm being connected with the .member by a screw 2l threaded into the supporting member and having a head 28 oi greater width thanithe slot, so that by loosening the screw the arm and, therefore, the work engaging element 21% can be adjusted to various 'positions both transversely off the supporting member andV about the axis of the screw 2?. Thus by a proper adjustmentfof the third element the three elements can be caused to engage three notches, or flats, in the back ofthe case.

4In Fig. 7 I have shown the workengagingele- 'ments as having work engaging -partsof ksuch a charact r that they may engage. and tightly grip the peripheral edge or a watch case back regardless of whether the back is or is not `pr` vided with hats or notches. For .this .purpose .the work engaging elements are provided-on oneside ci, in present .instance below, the supporting nnmber with arcuate parts 2B the flower portions i which are provided with inner beveled surfaces 3b, these surfaces being serrated or other- .wise roughened: to enable them tol tightly grip the periphery of a watch case back. rhus by adjusting the elements the work engaging ,parts Acan be moved into gripping Contact with the periphery of the back so thatthe back `will-be caused to rotate with the implement when forc is applied to the latter.

In Fig. 9 I have shown a form of the device in which the arcuate work engaging parts, or jaws, are combined to form a single annular structure 3| the lower portion of which is provided with an inner beveled and roughened surface 32. This annular structure is adapted to be connected with a supporting member .for rotation thereby so that when the beveled edge thereof is placed in engagement with the watch case back of a corresponding size and downward pressure is exerted on the supporting member the work engaging part will rmly grip the back and cause it to rotate with the implement. The Work engaging structure 3| may be connected with the supporting member in a suitable manner, in the present instance it is designed for attachment to .the supporting member ID and is provided in its upper portion with diametrically opposite `sockets .3i-adapted to receiveA the lower end portions-.ofthe work engaging elements AI3 .and I4, when these have been properly adjustedwith reiationfone to the .other or to receive any suitable ydevices which may be substituted for said work supporting elements.

While I haveshown and described one embodiment of .my invention, together with certain modications thereof, 1 wish it to be understood .that I do .not desire to bellimited to the details .thereof as various modifications may occur to a person skilled in the art. v

Having now ullydescribedmy invention, what I claimas new` and desire to secure by Letters Patentis:

l. Animplement for removing the back of a watchca'sacoinprising a supporting member having a.V slot therethrough and having at one end oflsaid .slot anopening of a width greater than the width of saidslot, two elements slidably supported` in said slot, each element having above and .below .said supporting member parts of a width ,greater than the width of said .slot and 4less than the width of said opening, one of said elements being held normally against movement lengthwise of lsaid siot, spring means for resisting Vthe mpvement lof the other of .said elements toward the` rst mentioned element, and a self- Vlocking adjustingv device mounted 0n said supporting member and engaging the last mentioned element to Imove the latter toward the rst mentionedv element, said elements ,having below said supporting member means for engaging and rotating the back or a watch case. Y

2. implement for removing the back of a watch casacomprising av supporting member having an slot therethrough, an element supported in saidv slot at one end thereof, a second element supported inl said siotfor movement toward and from the irst mentioned element, a spring confined between `:said elements to retain the first mentioned element at said end of said slot and to Yurge the last mentioned element toward the otherrend of said slot, an elongate screw threaded .adjusting member mounted` in said supporting member, extending into` said slot and engaging .the last Ymentrorred element to move the latter .against the action of said spring toward the first mentioned elei'nent, said elements having cooperating parts below said sllpJQrting member to engage and rotate the back oi a watch case.

3. An implement for removing the back of a watch case, comprising a supporting member hav- 'ing a slot therethrough, an element supported mea-idslot at one end thereof, asecond element supported in said slot for movement toward and from the rst mentioned element, a spring confined between said elements to retain the first mentioned element at said end of said slot and to urge the last mentioned element toward the other end of said slot, an elongate screw threaded adjusting member mounted in said supporting member, extending into said slot and engaging the last mentioned element to move the latter against the action of said spring toward the first mentioned element, said elements having cooperating parts below said supporting member to engage and rotate the back of a watch case, said adjusting member having a part extending beyond one end of said supporting member to form a handle, and a second handle secured `to the other end of said supporting member.

4. An implement for removing the back of a watch case, comprising a supporting member having a slot therethrough, an element supported in said slot at one end thereof, a second element supported in said slot for movement toward and from the rst mentioned element, a spring confined between said elements to retain the first mentioned element at said end of said slot and to urge the last mentioned element toward the other end of said slot, an elongate screw threaded adjusting member mounted in said supporting member, extending into said slot and engaging the last mentioned element to move the latter against the action of said spring toward the rst mentioned element, said elements having below said supporting member opposed arcuate work engaging ,parts to grip the peripheral portion of the back of a watch case and rotate the latter.

5. An implement for removing the back of a watch case, comprising a supporting member having a slot therethrough, two elements slidably supported in said slot, one of said elements being held normally against movement lengthwise of said slot, spring means resisting the movement of the other of said elements toward the rst mentioned element, a self-locking adjusting device mounted on said supporting member and engaging the last mentioned element to move said element against the action of said spring means toward said first mentioned element, said elements having parts extending below said supporting member, and an annular work engaging member having means whereby it may be detachably connected with said parts of said elements and having a beveled inner surface to engage the back of a watch case.

6. An implement for removing the back of a watch case, comprising a supporting member having a slot therethrough, two elements slidably supported in said slot, one of said elements being held normally against movement lengthwise of said slot, spring means resisting the movement of the other of said elements toward the irst mentioned element, a self-locking adjusting device mounted on said supporting member and engaging the last mentioned element to move said element against the action of said spring means toward said first mentioned element, a member mounted on said supporting member for adjustment transversely to said slot, means for securing said member in adjusted positions, and a third element mounted on said adjustable member for movement therewith and in a position substantially parallel with said two elements, the three elements having below said supporting member cooperating parts to engage and rotate the back of a watch case.

7. An implement for removing the back of a watch case, comprising a supporting member having a slot therethrough, an element supported in said slot at one end thereof, a second element supported in said slot for movement toward and from the irst mentioned element, a spring confined between said elements to retain the first mentioned element at said end of said slot and to urge the last mentioned element toward the other end of said slot, an elongate screw threaded adjusting member mounted in said supporting member, extending into said slot and engaging the last mentioned element to move the latter against the action of said spring toward the rst mentioned element, an arm mounted on said supporting member for adjustment both transversely to said supporting member and about an axis spaced laterally from the line of movement of said adjustable element and projecting beyond one side of said supporting member, an element carried by the projecting portion of said arm and substantially parallel with the rst mentioned elements, said elements having below said supporting member cooperating parts to engage and rotate the back of a watch case.

ERNST E. THOMS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 494,310 Wensing Mar. 28, 1893 761,523 Miller May 31, 1904 1,448,833 De Ryder Mar. 20, 1923 1,555,652 Frame Sept. 29, 1925 2,264,669 Kessler Dec. 2, 1941 2,389,954 Burns Nov. 27, 1945 2,408,737 Cormier Oct. 8, 1946 2,414,281 Trimner Jan. 14, 1947 

